Does your life feel complicated or simple? If it already feels simple, this post is not aimed at you. If it feels complicated, read on!
What’s important to you? What are your priorities? Do those things match up?
What are your core values?
What brings up passion for you?
What are the values that are deal breakers for you?
We all have some issues that really define us, that are something worth fighting for, that really speak to who we are.
Andy Andrews offers these questions to help you hone in on this:
1. What is important? What/whom do you value? How is your life connected to those things?
2. Where do I want to go? You can answer this many different ways. Your answer may involve a spiritual, mental, or physical destination. It might describe your career arc.
3. What does “the best” look like for me? Describe your best possible result. This isn’t the time to be realistic. This is the time to dream.
4. How do I want to act? How do you want people to describe you? Think of a few words you would want to come to mind when people think about you.
5. What kind of legacy do I want to leave behind? Imagine you’re 100 years in the future. What does the impact you’ve left look like? How is your Butterfly Effect still touching lives?
Once you have determined your core values, you can measure your actions and decisions against those values. Prioritize those things that fit into your path and de-prioritize those things which do not. This should help simplify your life, free up your time, and help in decision making. Get rid of those things you no longer wear and can no longer find a real reason for keeping. Those social engagements that do not bring you joy? Decline them. Those things in your home you are keeping because they might be useful someday? Get rid of them. Those people in your life who do not contribute to your growth? You might want to consider spending less time with them.
The more you simplify your life, the easier it becomes.
This post is part of a series called Monday Message, based on that day’s reflection from 365 Days to Enlightenment (authorized versions are currently out of print, working on a new edition). Check back next Monday for another one! You can also sign up for the Daily Message on my mailing list if you’d like to receive a new reflection every day. I also often post them to Instagram, if that’s a medium you enjoy.